" have been working out with Rhonda since before there was a place called BeFitLifestyle, and she has helped me make many changes in my life. I have also been very fortunate to have had a workout partner since the beginning, Pat Stark, who has been a wonderful motivator to show up and do the work, as well as being a sort of human benchmark for how far we have come since we began to work out.

When we began working with Rhonda almost 6 years ago, I was completely out of shape, very sedentary, and feeling my age. I couldn't do a push-up, sit-ups were agony, weights were new to me, and forget cardio. With Rhonda's gentle yet persistent, persistent, persistent encouragement (and much whining on my part), I became much stronger and started to actually look forward to exercising. It took her a lot longer to convince me to include cardio into my life, since I am basically lazy and don't enjoy it much, but like a trickling stream she finally wore me down, and now I even look forward to that (especially Circuit Training with Mike Banta on Wed nights). A big part of my interest in doing cardio workouts came from doing the New Leaf program and getting a heart-rate monitor - it helps me to understand what benefits I am accruing with hard facts and information in front of me, and the science of it fascinates me. I finally get that the cardio element of exercise is vastly important to losing weight, and I am getting more consistent with this, but I am lazy." more . . .

~ Alexa Anderson

"Recently my wife, Beverly, and I were watching Masterpiece Theatre on TV, and one of the characters said something I thought was profound - "It's not what we say or feel that makes us what we are, it's what we do, or not do". I used to want to be fit and I used to wish that I could participate in athletic events but I just didn't feel like I had the skill, strength, endurance, etc. Then I met Rhonda Nicholson. Rhonda had the knowledge, enthusiasm and motivational skill to help me achieve things I never thought were possible.

I just finished my sixth - and in many ways my most successful - half marathon. Amazingly, I've run three half marathons in the past sixth months and I'm registered for another one in August. And, while it's true that I had to take responsibility for my own accomplishments and "do" the hard work, it's also true that I could have never achieved what I have achieved without Rhonda. Her never-ending support and tireless help - both in the run group and in our twice-a-week weight training sessions - made all the difference. Of course, I'm also very blessed to have a fantastic wife who has encouraged me every step of the way, a wonderful supportive family, and terrific friends in the BeFitLifestyle Run/Walk Group.

I would encourage anyone who wants to move past thinking about getting fit and wishing things were different to talk to Rhonda and her great team of trainers. They really will make a difference in your life. And, you really can accomplish more than you think you can."

~ Ken Hudson

"I met Rhonda Nicholson when we were just kids, and in the prime of our lives! Through the years, things change and our bodies just don't respond like they used to! After convincing Rhonda to move to San Diego several years ago, she returned the favor by introducing me to running (not really a fair trade if you ask me!).

I had never been a runner, nor did I ever care to be one (so I thought), but I had a wedding coming up, and I wanted to look good; so I gave in. Before I knew it I had completed my first 5k then 10k and then a Half Marathon. After that, I was hooked!" more . . .

~ Jennifer Jung

"Over the last 8 weeks, I've lost 18 pounds and I couldn't have done it without Rosanna and the support from the rest of the BeFit staff. When I first arrived at BeFitLifestyle, I instantly felt welcomed. I was introduced to all the trainers, so I never had that uncomfortable feeling of walking into a place without knowing someone. Additionally, all the trainers remembered my name and greeted me when I arrived. It was this kind of atmosphere, the comfortable surroundings, that actually made me look forward to working out - and it was great for my self- esteem! Thank you so much for all your support. Now, let's see what we can accomplish together in 2008!"

~ Jason Craig

"When I arrived at the Carlsbad Half Marathon 2007, I was there to watch my sister Lora, who is a member of BeFit, run to the end of the finish line. I was so proud of her and all that she had accomplished. After seeing the pain, yet this light of fulfillment in her accomplishment, it inspired me to do the same. With her inspiration and support I started in the BeFit run group in February of 2007. I started with just walking, quickly progressing into jogging and then running! With my feet feeling lighter I decided to register for the Women's Nike Half with my sister.

In the beginning, I had no intention to register for a half marathon, my main goal was to lose weight and get healthy again." more . . .

~ Victoria Roberts

"When I joined BeFitLifestyle in January 2007, I was out of shape - a true couch-potato! But once I made up my mind to do something about it, I jumped in with both feet. I started walking with the Run/Walk Group on Saturday mornings and Wednesday nights and I strength trained with Jen twice a week - surprisingly, I quickly saw results!

Within a few weeks I was no longer out of breath climbing the three flights to my apartment. I felt stronger and more confident; even my posture improved!! As I gained more confidence and learned about heart rate training, I started jogging with the Run/Walk Group and eventually ran the Coronado 5K on July 4th! Just recently, I started doing a Sunday morning Circuit Training Class to expand my workouts a little.

I never thought that I would be able to run five miles or to do the strength training I am able to do with Jen, but BeFitLifestyle helped me develop a fun, injury-free plan. They started out at my level and slowly helped me build strength and endurance. They are so positive all of the time, it is hard not to succeed with them cheering you on.

To put things in perspective, I have lost over 10% bodyfat since January and I feel great about it!! I am looking forward to many more races and a long association with BeFitLifestyle. Thank you Rhonda, Jen, Paul and everyone at BeFit!"

~ Nora Threlkel

"I just finished my first week of training and I used my heart monitor for the first time. I was ready to throw the chest band away when I realized it knew what it was doing. If I stay just below the high end of my training zone, my run is a WHOLE lot easier. As the training gets more intense, I hope my training zone moves up a bit, even now 138 BPM seems a little low...but I am not complaining since my goal right now is just to try and be comfortable while running. Thank you so much for suggesting it. I ran (literally) into another runner this morning and told her that I was using the band for the first time and how much I liked it and she may be around to see you. She is training for the Rock and Roll next year. Again, thanks, I love my new training tool!"

~ Valerie Goodpaster

"When I first made a decision to get healthier and stronger, I felt intimidated by the challenge that lie ahead. In my 37 years (GULP) I never felt comfortable or motivated to exercise and gain strength. BeFitLifestyle has given me the tools and motivation to be a healthier me. The second I walked through the doors of BeFit, I felt welcomed and enthusiastic to learn. I love the changes I can see and feel in myself. My energy level, strength and dedication have grown. I never thought I would say I LOVE exercising but I look forward to my training with Karyn every week. Thank you Rhonda for creating such a positive and supportive place that changes lives! Thank you BeFit for giving me the tools and knowledge to a healthier and stronger me!"

~ Lisa Altmann

"Prior to joining BeFit, I had done Weight Watchers and had successfully lost 50 pounds and developed a very active lifestyle of outdoor cycling and regular yoga. After this increase in activity, I was noticing that Weight Watchers was not continuing to give me the results that I had previously acheived. I was feeling very frustrated because I was eating less and exercising more, but actually gaining weight!!

I decided to try a new approach and began working out with BeFitLifestyle; I have been working with BeFit personal trainer, Paul Terry, on my strength training and BeFit sports nutritionist, Karyn Tammaro, on my nutrition.

Surprisingly, through the New Leaf metabolic testing that I did at BeFit, I learned in the very first week, that my body was overtrained - Paul and Karyn explained that an overtrained body needs to eat more and exercise at a lower intensity in order to repair muscle and release stubborn fat stores. Amazingly, within 4 weeks, I had lost 7 pounds and felt better than ever!

I continue to work out at BeFitLifestyle - gaining strength and power without overtraining. I am so pleased with my results!"

~ Amy Barnhart

"Last January (2006) I made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle. Knowing that I couldn't afford a personal trainer, I decided to join the BeFit Shape Up for Summer 8 week challenge. My greatest motivation was proving to myself, and everyone else, that I could do it on my own using the information given to me at the BeFit 8 week challenge kick-off. I created a home gym, followed the cardio schedule exactly as it was laid out, and used exercises from prior BeFit training sessions for strength training. Finally everything came together for me, and I lost 25lbs in 2006!" more . . .

~ Joy Will

"I love BeFitLifestyle! I know it sounds cheesy, but it's the truth BFL has literally changed my life and probably saved it too. Stressed out from work, high blood pressure and overweight I received a gift certificate to BFL from my wife. I had never attend a gym and joked about the fact "that I haven't exercised since 1973". After visiting the gym, meeting the wonderful BFL Team I was hooked." more . . .

~ Andrew Spurgin

"I was always the last kid picked for teams in grade school. I've always felt pretty intimidated by and alienated from athletics. So it was incredibly difficult for me to expose myself to a personal trainer, and to gather the courage to work out in front of other people, much less other clients who were athletes. more . . .

~ Marg Stark

"Before I starting my training and nutrition programs at BeFitLifestyle, I considered myself a fairly active person, but always struggled with my weight. I had been running with a group for two years and successfully completed 3 marathons, but something was missing with my training and I seemed to just keep gaining more weight. more . . .

~ Jim Rider

I wish now that we'd taken a photograph of how I looked when I first went to see Rhonda in Oct of 2002 at age 47. But like many people returning to exercise, I didn't want to see a photograph of myself. Yikes. Originally I thought I'd hire Rhonda for a session or two to get me started doing something aerobic, since I'd become a couch potato and was having trouble getting started on my own. I'd been paying for a gym membership for years… and never going. more . . .

~ Pat Stark

"Before joining BeFitLifestyle (BFL) I had made a decision to improve my health and had made substantial progress toward my goal of having a healthy BMI; I had already lost 100 pounds.

Yet still wanting to loose 50 more pounds and tone up my body, I followed a friend's suggestion to visit BFL to see how they might enhance my efforts. (Thanks Pat!)

I liked what I saw, e.g., personal attention and no crowded "gym" atmosphere. I decided it was time to move my exercise regimen beyond walking and begin working with a professional to incorporate strength and cardio training into my weekly routine." more . . .

~ Michele Peters

"I signed up with BeFitLifestyle on July 1st, 2004. I travel a lot for work - my idea of exercise was running from one gate to the next...I was always out of breath! I started off slow, weight training twice a week while I was in town. In November, I started adding some cardio to my program. Be January, my trainer said I should "step it up" - so I did. I started training 3 times per week and started adding more cardio. I am now running and biking - I've even signed up for my first triathlon! It's been 8 months and I've lost some noticeable inches (my clothes are fitting great!) I'm not here to lose weight, although, I've done that too! I am here to get fit and have fun - essentials at BeFitLifestyle."

~ Alison Curwen

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training® is the world's largest endurance sports training program. BeFitLifestyle is proud to be a TNT supporter by offering a 10% savings on first time packages for all TNT members!! See how BeFitLifestyle has helped Merry, Kendra and Stacey!

~ TNT Team Members